Eye-protection headgear

ABSTRACT

An eye-protection headgear including a rigid visor with a window bearing an optical filter, and with a flexible fabric bib and a flexible fabric cap.

BACKGROUND

Optical filters, such as e.g. automatic darkening filters, are oftenprovided on protective headgear (e.g., welding helmets or the like)where protection from e.g. high intensity light is desired.

SUMMARY

In broad summary, herein is disclosed an eye-protection headgearcomprising a rigid visor with a window comprising an optical filter;and, a flexible fabric bib and a flexible fabric cap. The rigid visor ispivotably connected to a head suspension and is pivotably movablerelative to the head suspension, between at least a first, shieldingposition and a second, non-shielding position. These and other aspectswill be apparent from the detailed description below. In no event,however, should this broad summary be construed to limit the claimablesubject matter, whether such subject matter is presented in claims inthe application as initially filed or in claims that are amended orotherwise presented in prosecution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front-side perspective view of an exemplary eye-protectionheadgear.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an exemplary eye-protectionheadgear, in a first, shielding position.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an exemplary eye-protectionheadgear, in a second, non-shielding position.

FIG. 4 is a rear-side perspective view of an exemplary rigid visor andan exemplary head suspension.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of another exemplary head suspension.

FIG. 6 is a side-rear perspective view of another exemplaryeye-protection headgear.

Like reference numbers in the various figures indicate like elements.Some elements may be present in identical or equivalent multiples; insuch cases only one or more representative elements may be designated bya reference number but it will be understood that such reference numbersapply to all such identical elements. Unless otherwise indicated, allfigures and drawings in this document are not to scale and are chosenfor the purpose of illustrating different embodiments of the invention.In particular the dimensions of the various components are depicted inillustrative terms only, and no relationship between the dimensions ofthe various components should be inferred from the drawings, unless soindicated.

As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term“generally”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means that theproperty or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person ofordinary skill but without requiring absolute precision or a perfectmatch (e.g., within +/−20% for quantifiable properties). The term“substantially”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a highdegree of approximation (e.g., within +/−10% for quantifiableproperties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfectmatch.

Terms such as upward, downward, upper, uppermost, lower, lowermost,above, below, and so on, are defined with respect to a conventionalvertical axis that is present when the eye-protection headgear is fittedon the head of a user who is standing upright. (That is, upward meanstoward the top of FIGS. 1-6; downward means toward the bottom of FIGS.1-6).

Terms such as front, forward, forwardmost, etc., refer to a directionthat, when the headgear is fitted on the head of a user, is toward asource of light from which the user's eyes are desired to be shielded.Thus, for example, FIG. 1 is a view from the front side of a headgear.Terms such as rear, rearward, rearwardmost, etc., refer to a directionthat is generally away from the front direction. Thus, as viewed in FIG.5, forward is toward the left side of the Figure; rearward is toward theright side of the Figure. The term “lateral” denotes directionsgenerally orthogonal to the front-rear axis and generally orthogonal tothe vertical axis, of the headgear as fitted on the head of a user.Thus, in FIG. 5, the lateral axis runs in and out of plane of the Figureas viewed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein is disclosed an eye-protection headgear 1 comprising an opaquerigid visor 100 comprising a window 160 comprising an optical filter170, as depicted in exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. Headgear 1 furthercomprises a flexible fabric bib 200 extending at least generallydownward from a lower edge 110 of at least a forward portion of visor100. Headgear 1 further comprises a flexible fabric cap 300 extending atleast generally rearward from an upper edge 120 of at least a forwardportion of visor 100. Visor 100 is pivotably connected to a headsuspension 400 (not visible in the view FIG. 1, but visible in exemplaryembodiment e.g. in FIGS. 4 and 5) and is pivotably movable relative tohead suspension 400, between at least a first, shielding position and asecond, non-shielding position. Shielding positions are defined withheadgear 1 fitted on the head of a user with the user in an uprightposition (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3); by a shielding position ismeant a position in which light from a light source 800 (e.g. a weldingworkpiece) in front of the user's face can reach the user's eyes only byway of passing through window 160 of visor 100. An exemplary shieldingposition is depicted in FIG. 2. By a non-shielding position is meant aposition in which light from a light source in front of the user canreach the user's eyes without having to pass through window 160 (e.g.such light is able to reach the eyes by passing underneath a lower edge210 of bib 200). An exemplary non-shielding position is depicted in FIG.3.

In at least some embodiments, when the visor is in a second,non-shielding position, lower edge 210 of at least a forward portion 220of fabric bib 200 is above the level of the eyes of the user of theheadgear (as shown in FIG. 3). The pivotable connection between visor100 and head suspension 400 can be configured so that visor 100 can bepivotably moved to a position that is sufficiently far upward that thismay be achieved. In various embodiments, visor 100 is pivotably movablerelative to the head suspension, through an angle of at least about 70,80, 90, 100, or 110 degrees. (FIGS. 2 and 3 in combination depict anexemplary embodiment in which pivotable movement through an angle of atleast about 90-100 degrees is allowed).

Visor 100 may be configured to enhance the ability to move visor 100into a non-shielding position (i.e., to put headgear 1 into anon-shielding configuration). Thus, in some embodiments, a forwardmostpoint of lower edge 110, and a forwardmost point of upper edge 120, ofvisor 100 may combine to exhibit an included angle that is relativelysmall. Such an included angle may be conveniently measured from a vertexthat coincides with an axis of rotation of the pivotable connectionbetween the visor and the head suspension (such an axis of rotation issignified by reference number 151 in FIG. 2, and in FIG. 2 runs in andout of plane). In various embodiments, a forwardmost point of lower edge110 and a forwardmost point of upper edge 120 may combine to exhibit anincluded angle of no more than about 70, 60, or 50 degrees. In furtherembodiments, such portions may combine to exhibit an included angle ofat least about 30, 40, or 50 degrees. (FIG. 2 depicts an exemplaryembodiment in which such an included angle appears to be in the range ofabout 50-55 degrees).

In this context it is noted that terms such as forward, as used hereinto describe portions of visor 100, are used to distinguish generallyforwardly-located portions of visor 100 from generally laterally-located(side) portions of visor 100. Thus, a forward portion of visor 100 isnot limited to being a single most forwardly located point of visor 100(e.g., of edge 110 of visor 100); rather, it may signify an area thatextends e.g. several cm in lateral width. The skilled person willappreciate that the forward portion of visor 100 (and e.g. forwardportions of items such as edges 110 and 120) will often straddle thesagittal plane of the user's head and may extend e.g. symmetrically fora few centimeters (e.g., 1-2 cm) to each lateral side of the sagittalplane. In contrast, terms such as a forwardmost point as used for thespecific purpose of characterizing an included angle, will specificallydenote the most forwardly-located point of edge 110 and of edge 120.Similar considerations apply to the use of terms such as forwardportions and forwardmost points, in describing components such as bib200 and cap 300 and edges thereof.

Visor 100 is a rigid visor, to which is attached a flexible fabric bib200. The terms rigid and flexible are used herein to distinguish thebending stiffness of visor 100 relative to bib 200; by rigid is meantthat visor 100 exhibits a bending stiffness that is at least about 50times the bending stiffness of bib 200. (In further embodiments, visor100 may exhibit a bending stiffness that is at least about 100, 200, or500 times that of bib 200.) However, by rigid is not meant that visor100 must necessarily be extremely stiff in the manner of e.g. a metalplate or the like. Thus, although visor 100 may be made from anysuitable material, in some embodiments rigid visor 100 may beconveniently molded from any suitable thermoplastic or thermosetpolymeric molding material, with the inherent properties of the materialand the thickness of the visor (e.g., from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm)being chosen in combination to provide the rigidity appropriate for aneye-protection visor, as will be well understood by the ordinaryartisan. Visor 100 may thus be molded of e.g. any suitable resin suchas, but not limited to, polyolefins, nylons, polycarbonates, and so on.Such a resin may be chosen to have appropriate temperature resistance,may be filled with any desired reinforcing filler (e.g. one or more ofmineral fillers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, and so on), as desired.

Visor 100 is opaque, meaning that it passes essentially no (e.g., lessthan 0.0001%) light therethrough. In some embodiments visor 100 may passless than 0.00001, or 0.000001,% of light therethrough. Sucharrangements may be achieved e.g. by including one or more opacifyingfillers in the resin used to make visor 100. Such fillers may be chosenfrom e.g. mineral fillers (e.g., pigments) such as talc, calciumcarbonate, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, and so on, and/or fromfillers such as carbon black. Any suitable dye or dyes may be present aswell, as desired.

As noted, visor 100 comprises a lower edge and an upper edge. In FIG. 1,reference numbers 110 and 120 indicate the forward portions of theseedges (with the lines from the reference numbers being drawn to theforwardmost points of these edges). Reference numbers 112 and 122respectively denote lateral portions of the lower and upper edges.

Visor 100 comprises window 160 located in a forward portion thereof.Window 160 is optically transmissive (e.g., so as to transmit at leastabout 10, 20, 40, or 80% of visible light therethrough). In the simplestembodiment, window 160 can be a through-opening; or, it may comprisee.g. a clear pane that is permanently mounted to visor 100. Window 160may be peripherally surrounded by, e.g. defined by, a frame portion 161of visor 100 as in the exemplary design of FIG. 1. (While in manyembodiments window 160 may conveniently be generally rectangular inshape, this is not strictly necessary, and window 160 might be e.g.oval, or might at least have somewhat rounded corners.)

An optical filter 170 is provided in window 160 so that when visor 100is in the first, shielding position, any light from a light source 800located in front of the user's eyes must pass through optical filter 170in order to reach the user's eyes. By optical filter is meant a device(which may comprise of one or more layers) that can allow at least someelectromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible light) to pass therethrough butthat can also block at least some electromagnetic radiation from passingtherethrough.

In some embodiments, optical filter 170 may be configured to block highintensity light. In this context, “light” means electromagneticradiation and includes at least visible light, and infrared and/orultraviolet radiation, whether or not such radiation is perceptible tothe user. In this context, “high intensity” light means light that ispresent at an intensity (e.g. such as that emitted by a device such asan arc welder) such that it might be capable of damaging the eyes of auser, or of causing perceived discomfort to the user. Thus, opticalfilter 170 may be configured to reduce high-intensity light asencountered e.g. in welding operations, to an intensity that isacceptable to a user of headgear 1. An eye-protection headgear with suchan optical filter thus might find use e.g. in industrial operations, forexample welding (e.g. arc welding, torch welding, acetylene welding),cutting (e.g. laser cutting, acetylene cutting), brazing, soldering andthe like.

The light-blocking properties of optical filter 170 may be characterizede.g. by a Shade Number as is commonly known in the art. Thus, in variousembodiments optical filter 170 may exhibit a Shade Number of at leastabout 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 (or, of any suitable value). If desired,several optical filters of different Shade Number can be provided (e.g.as a kit along with headgear 1), and can be exchanged as desired forparticular needs.

In specific embodiments, optical filter 170 may be an automaticdarkening filter 180 that includes a switchable shutter that is capableof controllably blocking electromagnetic radiation (i.e., can switchbetween at least a light state (e.g. in which is it relatively highlylight-transmissive) and a dark state (e.g. in which it is relativelynon-transmissive to light)). Such a switchable shutter may comprise e.g.one or more liquid crystal layers, polarizing filters, electrochromicmaterials, etc., as are familiar to those of ordinary skill. If desired,other components (e.g. additives within layers of the shutter, and/orseparate layers in the light path) may be provided that constantly block(whether by absorption, reflection, scattering, or some other mechanism)radiation of various wavelengths to a desired degree. For example, oneor more constantly ultraviolet-blocking layers, constantlyinfrared-blocking layers, interference filters, and the like, may bepresent. Such layers might be provided e.g. as coatings or panes thatare built into an automatic darkening filter, or might be provided asseparate layers (panes) that are insertable into window 160 either aloneor along with an automatic darkening filter, or might be provided aslayers that are non-removably built into window 160 of visor 100.

In some embodiments, an optical filter 170 e.g. comprising an automaticdarkening filter 180 may be provided in the form of a cartridge 181 thatis removably insertable into window 160 of visor 100, as shown inexemplary embodiment in FIG. 4. Cartridge 181 may be held in place inany suitable manner, e.g. by way of retaining member 162 as depicted inFIG. 4. Such cartridges and manners of removably inserting them into avisor (in general, into a helmet of an eye-protection apparatus) arediscussed in further detail in U. S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0215673 to Lilenthal, which is incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, an automatic darkening filter 180 may comprise adetector that is capable of detecting e.g. at least the presence of highintensity light, and may further comprise a shutter control system thatreceives input from the detector and controls the switchable shutter inresponse. Such an automatic darkening filter may include an internalpower supply (e.g., one or more batteries). However, it will beappreciated that any of these components or functionalities (e.g.,detector, shutter control system, power supply, detector, and any itemsor functionalities associated therewith (e.g., wiring, connectors,status indicators, on/off switches and other controls, etc.)) may belocated in a separate location (e.g., in a separate module of headgear1) rather than being located on or within an automatic darkening filter180 (e.g. a cartridge 181) itself.

Eye-protection headgear 1 includes flexible fabric bib 200, whichextends at least generally downward from at least a forward portion oflower edge 210 of rigid visor 100 as shown in exemplary manner in FIGS.1 and 2. (All uses of terms such as downward, forward, and so on, arespecified as being with headgear 1 fitted on the head of a user, and arecharacterized with respect to a conventional vertical andforward-rearward directions applicable when the eye-protection headgearis fitted on the head of a user who is standing upright, as notedearlier herein.) In the specific exemplary design of FIG. 2, forwardportion 220 of bib 200 also extends slightly rearward (toward the neckof the user) in addition to extending generally downward.

Bib 200 is comprised of fabric, by which is meant any fibrous materialthat is e.g. woven, non-woven, knitted, or the like. Such a fabric maybe chosen to have a fiber density, thickness, and so on, commensuratewith the needs of e.g. industrial welding (e.g. the fabric may be chosenso to prevent or minimize the ability of sparks, UV or IR radiation,etc., to penetrate therethrough,). Bib 200 is flexible (the termflexible being defined in relation to the rigidity of visor 100 asdiscussed previously) and is thus compliant and able to be deformed(e.g., at least partially bent, crumpled, folded, crushed, pleated,etc.) e.g. in the act of using headgear 1 in e.g. tight or confinedspaces. In particular, bib 200 may be sufficiently flexible to allow theuser of headgear 1 to tilt his or her head forward so that even if loweredge 210 of bib 200 contacts the user's chest, bib 200 is able to deformto allow additional tilting of the head. It will be appreciated that, incontrast, the chin-protecting portions of e.g. conventional weldinghelmets often limit the amount to which the user's head can be tiltedforward.

In at least some embodiments, bib 200 may extend at least generallydownward not only from a forward portion of lower edge 110 of rigidvisor 100, but from side portions 112 of lower edge 110 as well. Inparticular embodiments, bib 200 may extend at least generally downwardfrom substantially, or essentially, the entire length of lower edge 110(as in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2). An upper edge 216 ofbib 200 may be attached to visor 100, e.g. at or near lower edge 110 ofvisor 100. (In this context it is noted that it may not be necessary tospecifically attach a terminal upper edge of bib 200 to a terminal loweredge of visor 100; rather, some overlap of bib 200 and visor 100 may bepresent.) Such attachment may be provided at several locations along theextent of bib 200 and visor 100. For instance, such attachment may bepresent not only in forward portions of the bib and visor, but also atone or more locations along the side (lateral) portions of thesecomponents. Such attachment of bib 200 to visor 100 may be provided byany suitable means, and may be provided at intervals that are spacedalong the extent of bib 200 and visor 100 (e.g. by way of studs, rivets,clips, ultrasonic spot-welds, sections of hook-and-loop fasteners, andso on), or may extend at least quasi-continuously along this extent(e.g. by way of adhesive bonding, stitching, continuous ultrasonicwelds, continuous hook-and-loop fasteners, and so on). Such attachmentmay be permanent (meaning that bib 200 cannot be removed from visor 100without destroying or unacceptably damaging either or both of bib 200and visor 100); however, in some embodiments bib 200 may be removablyattached to visor 100 e.g. so that bib 200 may be removed for cleaning

Bib 200 may be designed and configured so that it enhances the abilityto place headgear 1 into a second, non-shielding configuration merely bypivotably moving visor 100, without necessarily having to manipulate(e.g., fold or remove) bib 200 in order for the user to be able to seein a forward direction. This may be achieved e.g. by configuring theheadgear so that when visor 100 is in the second, non-shieldingposition, forward portion 220 of bib 200 that extends in a generallydownward direction when the headgear is in the first, shieldingconfiguration (as shown in FIG. 2), extends in an at least generallyforward direction when the headgear is in the second, non-shieldingposition (as shown in FIG. 3) rather than e.g. drooping or hangingdownward. In other words, the headgear may be designed so that whenvisor 100 is in the second, non-shielding position, bib 200 resists thetendency of gravity to cause forward portion 220 of bib 200 to droopdownward into a generally vertical configuration. Thus, in variousembodiments, when visor 100 is in the second, non-shielding position, atleast forward portion 220 of bib 200 may be oriented at a positive angleof at least about 30, 50, or 70 degrees away from vertical. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, a forward section of bib 200 appears tobe oriented at a positive angle of about 60-70 degrees away fromvertical. (In this context, “positive” means in a frontward direction,e.g. clockwise in the view of FIG. 3.)

It will be appreciated that an overall arcuate shape of bib 200 asmounted on visor 100 (as evident in FIG. 1) may facilitate suchproperties by causing bib 200 to form an at least somewhatself-reinforcing arch when visor 100 is in the second, non-shieldingposition. Such properties may also be enhanced by appropriate selectionof the bending stiffness of bib 200. Such properties may also beenhanced by providing a stiffening beam that runs along at least aportion of lower edge 210 of bib 200 and that forms an at least somewhatself-reinforcing arch when visor 100 is in the second, non-shieldingposition. Such a stiffening beam may be provided in any suitable manner,e.g. by attaching a flexible member (e.g., a rod or wire) to bib 200,along at least a substantial extent of lower edge 210 of bib 200. Inparticular embodiments a stiffening beam may be conveniently providedfrom the fabric of bib 200 itself, by finishing lower edge 210 as afolded hem 211 (e.g., by folding an edge section of bib 200 back onitself to form two layers and sewing the layers together). Such a foldedhem may provide a stiffening beam; or, a member (e.g. a rod or wire) maybe provided within the hem if desired, to augment the stiffeningproperty of the hem.

Eye-protection headgear 1 includes flexible fabric cap 300, whichextends at least generally rearward from at least a forward portion ofupper edge 120 of rigid visor 100 as shown in exemplary manner in FIGS.1 and 2. Cap 300 may be made of any of the fabrics mentioned above withreference to bib 200 and may conveniently be made of the same materialas bib 200 although this is not necessarily required.

In addition to extending at least generally rearward from a forwardportion of upper edge 120 of visor 100, cap 300 may also extendgenerally laterally inward from each lateral (side) portion 122 of theupper edge of visor 100, as shown in exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. Aforward edge 310 of cap 300 may be attached to visor 100, e.g. at ornear upper edge 120 of visor 100. Lateral edges of cap 300 may likewisebe attached to lateral portions of upper edge 120 of visor 100. It maynot be necessary to attach a terminal edge of bib 200 to a terminalupper edge of visor 100; rather, some overlap of cap 300 and visor 100may be present. (In this context it is noted that the term edge as usedhere and elsewhere herein is synonymous with “edge portion” and thusdoes not denote solely a terminal edge, but rather encompasses at leasta strip of e.g. about 1 cm in width that borders such a terminal edge.)Attachment of cap 300 to visor 100 may be provided at several locationsalong the extent of cap 300 and visor 100. For instance, such attachmentmay be present not only in forward locations of the bib and visor, butalso at one or more locations along the lateral portions of thesecomponents. Such attachment may be provided by any continuous ordiscontinuous means, and may be permanent or removable, and may includeany of the mechanism described above.

In some embodiments, when visor 100 is in the first, shielding position,cap 300 may extend rearward to overlie the crown of the head of the userof headgear 1, as shown in exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2. In furtherembodiments, when visor 100 is in the first, shielding position, cap 300may extend downward to reside rearward of the occipital portion of thehead of the user, as shown in exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6. In stillfurther embodiments, when visor 100 is in the first, shielding position,cap 300 may extend further downward to reside rearward of the neck ofthe user, also as shown in exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6,crown-protecting, occiput-protecting, and rear neck-protecting portionsof cap 300 are respectively indicated by reference numbers 312, 314 and316. (While the ordinary artisan will be aware of the location of suchportions of the human head, for convenience the crown, occiput, and neckof a human head 500 are respectively indicated by reference numbers 510,520 and 530 in FIG. 5.)

In some embodiments, bib 200 and cap 300 may meet each other on firstand second lateral sides of headgear 1 so as to collectively providelateral neck-protection portions of the headgear. Such an arrangement isshown in exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6 with the approximate meetingpoint of cap and bib portions being indicated by reference number 340.In such cases, lateral portions of bib 200 and cap 300 may overlap eachother (e.g. to a distance of a few cm); or they may be joined to eachother. If it is desired to use headgear 1 in combination with arespirator-protective apparatus (that e.g. supplies filtered breathingair to the user), cap 300 may comprise at least one through-opening 350that is configured to admit an air-delivery hose 351, as shown in FIG.6.

In embodiments of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, bib 200 may beprovided by a first piece of fabric and cap 300 may be provided by asecond piece of fabric that is a separate piece from the first piece offabric and that is not directly connected to the first piece of fabric.Rather, such first and second separate pieces may be separately attachedto visor 100. In embodiments of the type illustrated in FIG. 6, bib 200and cap 300 may be e.g. first and second, integrally-connected portionsof a single piece of fabric. Bib 200 and/or cap 300 may be made offlame-retardant fabric if desired.

Eye-protection headgear 1 includes a head suspension. An exemplary headsuspension 400 is shown in FIG. 4 although any suitable head suspensionmay be used. By head suspension is specifically meant an apparatus thatbears the weight of visor 100 and supports visor 100 in position uponthe head of the user. That is, even though there may be e.g. someincidental contact of fabric cap 300 with the user's head, essentiallyall of the weight of visor 100 (and thus of optical filter 170) will beborn by suspension 400.

As shown in exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, a head suspension mayinclude e.g. a front headband 402 and a rear headband and/or nape strap403, and by definition includes one or more top bands 406 that extend atleast generally over the user's head (It is not required that any suchtop band must necessarily extend directly over the topmost point of theuser's head, however.) If desired, a rear headband 403 may include anadjustable portion 404 to adjust the fit to the user's head (in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, this portion may be adjusted by way of arotatable knob). As noted, visor 100 is pivotably connected tosuspension 400. This may be provided in any suitable manner, e.g. by wayof connecting rearward lateral (side) portions of visor 100 tolaterally-extending protrusions 153 of head suspension 400, and holdingvisor 100 in place by way of caps 152, as shown in FIG. 4. By this orany other suitable of arrangement, the pivotable connecting of visor 100to suspension 400 may be provided by first and second connections thatare located on laterally opposite sides of the user's head, the firstand second pivotable connections sharing a common axis of rotation thatpasses through both the first and second connections (as exemplified byaxis of rotation 151 of FIG. 4). It may be convenient to provide thatcaps 152 can be tightened or loosened to adjust the force required tomove visor 100 back and forth between the first and second (shieldingand non-shielding) positions.

Another exemplary head suspension 400 is depicted in side perspectiveview in FIG. 5 (with the rigid visor, fabric bib and fabric cap omittedfor ease of presentation). FIG. 5 depicts a design in which two topbands 406 are present. Also, the design shown in FIG. 5 allows visor 100to be slidably movable back and forth in a forward-rearward direction inaddition to being pivotably movable between the first and secondpositions. The ability to slidably move visor 100 allows the distance atwhich visor 100 is placed from the eyes and nose of the user when visor100 is in the first, shielding position, to be adjusted as desired. Inthe particular design shown in FIG. 5, a forward-rearward slidableconnection 440 is achieved by providing head suspension 400 with amember 441 that has a long axis oriented at least generally along aforward-rearward axis of the head suspension, and providing a carriage442 that is slidably movable along beam 441 in a forward-rearwarddirection (indicated by double-headed arrow 443). Since visor 100 isconnected to carriage 442 via pivotable connection 150, moving carriage442 thus moves visor 100 relative to head suspension 400.

It will be appreciated that the designs and configurations disclosedherein provide an eye-protection headgear in which significant portions(e.g. the bib and cap) of the headgear are compliant (being made offlexible fabric) and can be temporarily deformed, flattened, crushedetc. This can advantageously allow the headgear to be used in the first,shielding position even in a relatively tight or confined space. This isachieved while still providing that the headgear can be placed in asecond, non-shielding configuration e.g. merely by pivotably moving thevisor. That is, it may not be necessary to e.g. fold or remove thefabric bib in order for the user to be able to see in a forwarddirection, when the visor is moved to the second, non-shieldingposition.

List of Exemplary Embodiments

Embodiment 1 is an eye-protection headgear comprising: an opaque rigidvisor comprising a window comprising an optical filter, a flexiblefabric bib extending at least generally downward from a lower edge of atleast a forward portion of the rigid visor, and a flexible fabric capextending at least generally rearward from an upper edge of at least aforward portion of the rigid visor, wherein the rigid visor is pivotablyconnected to a head suspension and is pivotably movable relative to thehead suspension, between at least a first, shielding position and asecond, non-shielding position.

Embodiment 2 is the eye-protection headgear of embodiment 1 wherein whenthe rigid visor is in the second, non-shielding position, a lower edgeof at least a forward portion of the flexible fabric bib is above thelevel of the eyes of a user of the eye-protection headgear. Embodiment 3is the eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-2 wherein whenthe rigid visor is in the second, non-shielding position, at least aforward portion of the flexible fabric bib is oriented at a positiveangle of at least about 30 degrees away from vertical. Embodiment 4 isthe eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-3 wherein at leastsubstantially an entire length of a lower edge of the flexible fabricbib comprises a folded hem that provides a stiffening beam.

Embodiment 5 is the eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-4wherein a forwardmost point of the lower edge of the rigid visor and aforwardmost point of the upper edge of the rigid visor combine toexhibit an included angle, measured from a vertex that coincides with anaxis of rotation of the pivotable connection between the rigid visor andthe head suspension, of no more than about 65 degrees. Embodiment 6 isthe eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-5 wherein the rigidvisor is pivotably connected to the head suspension in such a way thatthe rigid visor is pivotably movable relative to the head suspension,through an angle of at least about 80 degrees. Embodiment 7 is theeye-protection headgear any of embodiments 1-6 wherein the rigid visoris pivotably connected to the head suspension in such a way that therigid visor is front-rear slidably movable relative to the headsuspension in addition to being pivotably movable relative to the headsuspension.

Embodiment 8 is the eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-7wherein the flexible fabric bib is provided by a first piece of fabricand wherein the flexible fabric cap is provided by a second piece offabric that is a separate piece from the first piece of fabric and thatis not directly connected to the first piece of fabric. Embodiment 9 isthe eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-7 wherein theflexible fabric bib and the flexible fabric cap are first and second,integrally-connected portions of a piece of fabric.

Embodiment 10 is the eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-9wherein when the rigid visor is in the first, shielding position, theflexible fabric cap extends rearward to overlie a crown of a head of auser of the headgear. Embodiment 11 is the eye-protection headgear ofany of embodiments 1-10 wherein when the rigid visor is in the first,shielding position, the flexible fabric cap extends downward to residerearward of an occipital portion of the head of the user of theheadgear. Embodiment 12 is the eye-protection headgear of any ofembodiments 1-11 wherein when the rigid visor is in the first, shieldingposition, the flexible fabric cap extends downward to reside rearward ofa neck of the user of the headgear.

Embodiment 13 is the eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-12wherein the flexible fabric bib and the flexible fabric cap portion meeteach other on first and second lateral sides of the headgear so as tocollectively provide lateral neck-protection portions of the headgear.Embodiment 14 is the eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-13wherein the flexible fabric cap comprises at least one openingconfigured to admit an air-delivery hose of a respiratory-protectiveapparatus. Embodiment 15 is the eye-protection headgear of any ofembodiments 1-14 wherein the flexible fabric bib and the flexible fabriccap are each removably attached to the rigid visor. Embodiment 16 is theeye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-15 wherein the flexiblefabric bib and the flexible fabric cap are each made of flame-retardantfabric.

Embodiment 17 is the eye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-16wherein the optical filter is an automatic darkening filter. Embodiment18 is the eye-protection headgear of embodiment 17 wherein the automaticdarkening filter is in the form of a cartridge that is removablyinsertable into the window of the rigid visor. Embodiment 19 is theeye-protection headgear of any of embodiments 1-18 wherein the window isperipherally surrounded by, and defined by, a frame portion of the rigidvisor, and wherein the rigid visor is made of a molded opaquethermoplastic polymeric material. Embodiment 20 is the eye-protectionheadgear of any of embodiments 1-19 wherein the pivotable connecting ofthe rigid visor to the head suspension is provided by first and secondconnections located on laterally opposite sides of the user's head andwherein an axis of rotation of the pivotable connection passes throughboth the first and second connections.

EXAMPLES

Several prototypes of the general types depicted in FIGS. 1-4 and 6 weremade by the following procedures. A conventional welding helmet of thegeneral type available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn. under the tradedesignation SPEEDGLAS 10V SERIES was obtained. Portions of the helmetwere physically removed by cutting to obtain a rigid visor of theapproximate size and shape shown in FIG. 4. Sheets of fabric of thegeneral type used in welding protection hood products available from 3MCompany under the trade designation (Part No.) 16 91 00 were obtained.These sheets were cut to a desired size and shape and were attached byvarious mechanisms (e.g., by stitching or by plastic rivets) to theupper and lower edges of the visor, to form bibs and caps of the generalsize and shape shown in FIGS. 1-3. In some cases the bib and cap were inthe form of separate pieces of fabric that were separately attached tothe visor, as in the illustrations of FIGS. 1-3. In other cases anintegral design was used in which the bib and cap were integrallyconnected, as in the illustration of FIG. 6. Numerous headgearprototypes of various designs and configurations were produced. In atleast some of the prototypes, when the visor was placed into theaforementioned second, non-shielding position, the lower edge of atleast a forward portion of the fabric bib remained above the level ofthe eyes of a user of the eye-protection headgear (e.g. as depicted inFIG. 3), without it being necessary to manipulate (e.g., fold) the bibin any manner.

The foregoing Examples have been provided for clarity of understandingonly, and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. Thetests and test results described in the Examples are intended to beillustrative rather than predictive, and variations in the testingprocedure can be expected to yield different results. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the specific exemplaryelements, structures, features, details, configurations, etc., that aredisclosed herein can be modified and/or combined in numerousembodiments. All such variations and combinations are contemplated bythe inventor as being within the bounds of the conceived invention, notmerely those representative designs that were chosen to serve asexemplary illustrations. Thus, the scope of the present invention shouldnot be limited to the specific illustrative structures described herein,but rather extends at least to the structures described by the languageof the claims, and the equivalents of those structures. Any of theelements that are positively recited in this specification asalternatives may be explicitly included in the claims or excluded fromthe claims, in any combination as desired. Any of the elements orcombinations of elements that are recited in this specification inopen-ended language (e.g., comprise and derivatives thereof), areconsidered to additionally be recited in closed-ended language (e.g.,consist and derivatives thereof) and in partially closed-ended language(e.g., consist essentially, and derivatives thereof). To the extent thatthere is any conflict or discrepancy between this specification aswritten and the disclosure in any document incorporated by referenceherein, this specification as written will control.

What is claimed is:
 1. An eye-protection headgear comprising, an opaquerigid visor comprising a window comprising an optical filter, a flexiblefabric bib extending at least generally downward from a lower edge of atleast a forward portion of the rigid visor, and a flexible fabric capextending at least generally rearward from an upper edge of at least aforward portion of the rigid visor, wherein the rigid visor is pivotablyconnected to a head suspension and is pivotably movable relative to thehead suspension, between at least a first, shielding position and asecond, non-shielding position.
 2. The eye-protection headgear of claim1 wherein when the rigid visor is in the second, non-shielding position,a lower edge of at least a forward portion of the flexible fabric bib isabove the level of the eyes of a user of the eye-protection headgear. 3.The eye-protection headgear of claim 2 wherein when the rigid visor isin the second, non-shielding position, at least the forward portion ofthe flexible fabric bib is oriented at a positive angle of at leastabout 30 degrees away from vertical.
 4. The eye-protection headgear ofclaim 3 wherein at least substantially an entire length of a lower edgeof the flexible fabric bib comprises a folded hem that provides astiffening beam.
 5. The eye-protection headgear of claim 1 wherein aforwardmost point of the lower edge of the rigid visor and a forwardmostpoint of the upper edge of the rigid visor combine to exhibit anincluded angle, measured from a vertex that coincides with an axis ofrotation of the pivotable connection between the rigid visor and thehead suspension, of no more than about 65 degrees.
 6. The eye-protectionheadgear of claim 1 wherein the rigid visor is pivotably connected tothe head suspension in such a way that the rigid visor is pivotablymovable relative to the head suspension, through an angle of at leastabout 80 degrees.
 7. The eye-protection headgear of claim 1 wherein therigid visor is pivotably connected to the head suspension in such a waythat the rigid visor is front-rear slidably movable relative to the headsuspension in addition to being pivotably movable relative to the headsuspension.
 8. The eye-protection headgear of claim 1 wherein theflexible fabric bib is provided by a first piece of fabric and whereinthe flexible fabric cap is provided by a second piece of fabric that isa separate piece from the first piece of fabric and that is not directlyconnected to the first piece of fabric.
 9. The eye-protection headgearof claim 1 wherein the flexible fabric bib and the flexible fabric capare first and second, integrally-connected portions of a piece offabric.
 10. The eye-protection headgear of claim 1 wherein when therigid visor is in the first, shielding position, the flexible fabric capextends rearward to overlie a crown of a head of a user of the headgear.11. The eye-protection headgear of claim 10 wherein when the rigid visoris in the first, shielding position, the flexible fabric cap extendsdownward to reside rearward of an occipital portion of the head of theuser of the headgear.
 12. The eye-protection headgear of claim 11wherein when the rigid visor is in the first, shielding position, theflexible fabric cap extends downward to reside rearward of a neck of theuser of the headgear.
 13. The eye-protection headgear of claim 1 whereinthe flexible fabric bib and the flexible fabric cap portion meet eachother on first and second lateral sides of the headgear so as tocollectively provide lateral neck-protection portions of the headgear.14. The eye-protection headgear of claim 1 wherein the flexible fabriccap comprises at least one opening configured to admit an air-deliveryhose of a respiratory-protective apparatus.
 15. The eye-protectionheadgear of claim 1 wherein the flexible fabric bib and the flexiblefabric cap are each removably attached to the rigid visor.
 16. Theeye-protection headgear of claim 1 wherein the flexible fabric bib andthe flexible fabric cap are each made of flame-retardant fabric.
 17. Theeye-protection headgear of claim 1 wherein the optical filter is anautomatic darkening filter.
 18. The eye-protection headgear of claim 17wherein the automatic darkening filter is in the form of a cartridgethat is removably insertable into the window of the rigid visor.
 19. Theeye-protection headgear of claim 1 wherein the window is peripherallysurrounded by, and defined by, a frame portion of the rigid visor, andwherein the rigid visor is made of a molded opaque thermoplasticpolymeric material.
 20. The eye-protection headgear of claim 1 whereinthe pivotable connecting of the rigid visor to the head suspension isprovided by first and second connections located on laterally oppositesides of the user's head and wherein an axis of rotation of thepivotable connection passes through both the first and secondconnections.